JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Imixholo yentlalo nopolitiko kwisihobe sikashasha

Sibula, Pumlani Merrington (2001-03)

Text in English and Xhosa.

Translation of title: Socio-political themes in the poetry of Shasha.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.

Thesis

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study of socio-political issues examines Shasha's poetry.
Chapter One is the introduction of this study and states the central aim of the study, the
scope of the study, as well as the thematic approach followed in the entire study.
Chapter Two is divided into five subheadings:
• The poetry that is not politically aligned;
• Pre-independence poetry;
• The poetry about the warriors who fell in the struggle;
• Post-independence poetry; and
• Reconciliatory poetry.
In the poetry that is not politically aligned, the author sometimes writes a poem, which,
although not politically aligned, would have a theme dealing with politics.
In the pre-independence poetry, the author emphasizes the situation that agonizes the
blacks in their own indigenous land. He also stresses how the oppressors have succeeded
in their work of oppression: the strategy of dividing and ruling them, and make them kill
one another.
In the poetry about the freedom fighters, the author portrays the gruesome ways in which
they were slaughtered, examples of which are: - Steve Biko; Bathandwa Ndondo; Samora
Machel and Chris Hani. Shasha praises these fallen heroes and maintains that their blood
has sprinkled the arrival of the liberation. Even though they are dead the author sees
them as if they are still alive because of their outstanding contribution in the struggle.
In the post-independence poetry, the author highlights the disappointment of the blacks,
as the situation is not what they expected, because of the unfulfilled promises by the black
government in power. The author expresses disappointment because of unmeasurable
corruption in the present government: nepotism is practiced, irrespective of qualifications. In the reconciliatory poetry, the author reconciles the different nations that are hostile to
each other: the blacks and whites. He mentions different kinds of actions to be reconciled
because he says that these actions happened were because of the apartheid regime.
In Chapter Three, the author shows his knowledge about health issues, he does not only
warn about different kinds of diseases, he also mentions the causes, effects and
symptoms in the victims. It is evident from this chapter that the author is a qualified
medical practitioner, as he shows confidence and knowledge in the issues he is writing
about.
In Chapter Four, the author observes problems that influence the social status of the
people. The social issues he writes about stresses the fact that some of these diseases are
not caused by physical aspects but also by by social problems.
In Chapter Five, the author challenges people to return to the older times of customs and
traditions. Studying Shasha's cultural poetry leaves the reader